Inside the shop

Jocelyn, now less distractingly dressed than she had been in her silk night-shirt, although just as distractingly busty, arrived to Suitachi's navi shop with her PET in tow. "Alright, Sleuth! What are you planning to purchase with the reward from your latest mission? I imagine it's something to get you back up to speed, since, right now, your performance is considerably inhibited compared to what you were capable of with your previous client," Jocelyn offered, looking to her PET as she approached the counter.

"Indeed! Appropriate that you should say 'speed,' for speed upgrades are priority number one as it pertains to upping one's combat strength. Being able to move that much faster than one's opponent will allow one to implement more complex strategies, as well as more simple advantages, such as firing more bullets over the same period of time or moving further over that period. You understand?" Sleuth asked, sounding as though she was talking to an introductory level virus busting class. "Allow me to do the talking! Ahem! Suitachi, old chum!" she called out. Although she'd spoken to Suitachi many times before and had been her customer just as many, she was also a bit of a nuisance, and it wouldn't be any surprise if he was sour returning her greeting. "My role in life is ever-shifting: each day, a new adventure! Sure, it's hectic, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Getting out onto the net, meeting new people, always moving around instead of being cooped up in one little spot. No sir, there's nothing like freedom!"

"Ah, I see... This is bartering, isn't it? You talk about unrelated things for a while until the seller is distracted or feels a kinship to you, then attempt to get them to come down on their price," Jocelyn whispered into her PET, though not so quietly that Suitachi couldn't hear everything.

"No, my dear, this is not bartering. Suitachi doesn't barter, and neither do I. Not outside of certain cultures where it is right and expected, at any rate," Sleuth whispered back, again, audibly. "Now, where was I? Oh yes, life from mission to mission! Living, loving, all that rot. I wouldn't trade it for anything. So, let's talk purchases now!" she laughed, finally circling around to her point. "Two speed upgrades, please. That should come out to a total of fifteen-thousand zenny, I believe?"

Jocelyn placed the money onto the counter with a sweet smile, then folded her hands over her lap expectantly.

((5000 + 10000= 15000))
Suitachi heard the arrival of his latest customers before laying eyes on them. He quickly replaced the boxes he had been arranging in the lower cupboards and rose up to stand in front of the register, frowning unconsciously at the word "bartering". His concern was assuaged by Sleuth's dismissal, and so he smoothly transitioned back to his customer service face. "Right you are," he said with regard to the price. He took the money from the counter and entered it into the register before sweeping his hand under the counter to produce the pair's purchases in a small bag. "Thanks for your business and hope to see you again soon." With that, he grabbed an errant box and headed for the back of the store while mumbling something unprofessional about the idea of bartering for technology.

Jocelyn GET: Speed Upgrade 1 & 2
Jocelyn LOSE: 15,000z
"Thank you very much, sirrah! See, Jocelyn? You made him cross with that one. These days, most people see it as a slight to their craft if you ask them to alter their stated prices. You should be careful, lest you draw the ire of a shopkeep such as Suitachi," Sleuth explained to her operator as they left. Something in her tone didn't quite sound entirely serious, as if she was laughing internally about the idea of Suitachi losing his cool over having to barter with his incomprehensibly empty-headed customer. "Ah, perhaps we should have bartered after all! Oh well. Maybe next time~"

"Next time, then," Jocelyn agreed, heading out of the shop.

((Headed back to Netopia))
A purple and black hurricane burst through the door and twirled around the shop interior, flitting eagerly from place to place. An excited babble ratcheted from her tireless tongue as she examined the shop's individual oddities, before halting quite suddenly at the counter. Confetti from several party poppers hidden within the confines of her alarmingly dreary wardrobe showered over the nearby area as the girl slammed her hands enthusiastically on the glass top.

"Hi! I'm Hippie! I like your hair, it's super you! Can I get a health memory thing? Ooh! And a couple of those process powers, please? That'd be just THE BEST!"

--SHOPPING LIST--

HP Memory x1 = 1000z
Process Upgrade x2 = 300z
Total = 1300z
Suitachi shied away from the whirlwind that had accosted his shop, and discretely tucked a few more product boxes safely below the counter and out of sight. He could only wince and cringe as the girl's excessive enthusiasm washed relentlessly over him, and spread a terrible mess over his counter top. It was too early in the morning for this. Ten p.m. would be too early in the morning for this. After letting the confetti settle, the man sighed and began to process the girl's order, retrieving the requested products and sliding them over to her carefully. Zenny was zenny after all.

"Thankyou, enjoy your purchase, and try not to mess up the shop next time. That would be... super."


Hippie GET: HPMem1, PU 1 & 2
Hippie LOSE: 1300z
"Oh my gosh, THANK YOU!" Hippie all but squealed with delight, tenderly taking the parcel of navi parts as though it were a precious idol. She grasped it to her chest with both arms and beamed a violently happy smile at the shop keeper. "You are the SUPEREST BESTEST SHOP GUY!"

As a thank you, the girl shook her head, spraying a shower of wrapped candy out of her hair and all over the counter top, before turning and prancing out the door.

"Stay happy!"


----GET----
HPMEM1, PU1&2

----LOSE----
1300z
Current Zenny: 15,510.

Destin Obscura walked into the store and up to the counter. "Hello. I wish to purchase a v3 Speed Upgrade. Here is the required 15,000z."

Want
Speed Upgrade v3

Total: 15,000z
Suitachi grumbled as he swiped his hand over the counter to sweep the scattered candy into a bin nearby. Thankfully his next customer had a more tolerable demeanor and a larger wallet. "Certainly," he replied before he reached down to a shelf behind the counter. The placed the upgrade in a NaviShop-labeled bag and placed it on the counter in exchange for Destin's currency. With the transaction complete, he handed the merchandise to his customer.

"Thank you, enjoy your upgrade."

DESTIN LOSE: 15,000z
DESTIN GET: Speed Upgrade
Destin Obscura swept the bag into his hand. "Thanks. See you later."
Bruce walked into Suitachi's shop, looking a little bit exhausted. He'd expected to have a fun conversation with Dare about what the two of them had been up to on his long ride, but instead, he'd been treated to the sound of her running her Purge program for an extended period, unwilling to lose time by slowing down and silencing his PET. "Hey, man, how's it hangin'," he greeted the shopkeeper absentmindedly. Notably, he was still wearing a coach outfit, whistle, and gym shorts, all of which looked a little out of place on him.

He was no buff of PET or Navi technology, but he did at least have a memory. Thus, even without Dare's help, he was able to point to the stuff he wanted, as they were things he'd already purchased before. "I need the v2 Speed upgrade and, uh... the HP upgrade that costs 1,500 zenny." Making that order a bit harder than he needed to, the stuntman nonetheless produced the correct amount of money (nearly all his earnings from his previous mission).

(1,500z for HP Memory 3 + 10,000z for Speed Up 2)
(Total 12670z - 11,500z = 1,170z remaining)
The brief glance up became a more extended double-take when Suitachi saw exactly how Bruce was dressed, but he regained composure a moment later when it became clear that the oddly dressed man was offering to give him money. It was usually a good incentive for professionalism. Even so he raised an eyebrow.

"More speed upgrades. So many people in such a rush. Well, if you're all rushing to buy upgrades, who am I to complain? That will be 11500, thank you." The shop-keep readied the packages while Bruce paid, sliding them across the counter to him.

"Enjoy your purchase, and do come again."

Bruce GET: Speed upgrade 2, Hp Memory 3.
Bruce LOSE: 11500z
"Cool, thanks," Bruce replied, handing over what he needed to in order to complete the transaction and get back on the road. "Man, that was a chunk of change... ought to be worth it, anyhow. See you around!" The operator spun quickly, heading out to get back to his bike and his work.
Dressed in his baggy black uniform, Yoshitsune arrived to Suitachi's shop, cursing the sun. He removed his hood and then looked over the store stock with irritation and impatience clearly broadcast on his face. "Sister, what do navis like when it comes to upgrades? 'Beat Support?' Nay, it is too expensive!" he gasped, recoiling in terror as he saw the sticker price. "Let us focus on the essentials, for now! What do you consider essential that I buy you?"

"I'm glad you asked! Right now, I'd like a speed upgrade to bring my AH~GEL~IT~TEE back up to a reasonable level! Then, I could use a few EICH~PEE~MEM~OH~REES to improve my survivability! Finally, process upgrades will allow me to strengthen my CUST~OM ATT~ACKS, as well as awaken new abilities!" she explained, using a different dramatic pose to illustrate the effects of each upgrade. Yoshitsune found himself regretting that his navi had dressed back up from her under-robe now.

Knowing now what he needed, Yoshitsune took a few moments to do math, then approached the counter and readied the spoils of his latest mission. "Store clerk! I require one speed upgrade, three HP memories, and finally, five process upgrades! Please deliver them to me," he demanded.

((Paying 5000 for speed upgrade 1, 3750 for HP upgrades 1-3, and 1500 for process upgrades 1-5
Total spent is 10250, money remaining will be 750 zenny))
Suitachi watched Yoshitsune enter with curiosity, then rested his elbows on the counter as the young man surveyed the stock. "Um, you know, I can make recommendations if you want. Normally, for newcomers to the shop, the usual things are Speed upgrades, process upgrades, and-"

Seeing that the customer had evidently intended that question for his Navi, Suitachi coughed into his fist and went quiet. He checked his watch as Yoshitsune finished his math.

The man grinned as Yoshitsune put his money forward. "I always know what they want! Man, I'd hate to be Soryu... I bet that guy never has any idea what people are going to buy from him. My job's so easy."

With little effort, Suitachi produced the requested items from behind the counter in a neat stack, as though they'd been waiting there. "That'll be 10,250z. Enjoy your new and improved Navi!"

Yoshitsune GET: Speed upgrade 1; Hp Memory 1,2,3; Process upgrade 1,2,3,4,5.
Yoshitsune LOSE: 10250z
Hikari downed the last of the can of juice she'd gotten as she arrived in SciLab, and gently set the can in a recycle bin next to the Navi shop. She was eager to enter, but..."Are you certain, Lady Divina? That you won't tell me the story until we get back home?"

"I am. A story worthy of the...oh, I forgot the name of that book you were going to write about my exploits."

"The Book of Divina."

"...Real inventive name, Hikari...Well, I can assure you that my tale will make the editor's cut. Something like that shouldn't be paraphrased as you perform errands, wouldn't you agree?"

"You're right, of course...I'm simply eager to hear it, that's all."

"Good things come to those who wait. I think that's the saying, correct?" Granted, not everything in her story was good things...though now that she thought about it, hopefully SteamMan was doing well. He should be starting to set things up by now. "Also, did you ever decide what to spend our money on?"

"I did! I did some research on the ride over, and I have it written down on this piece of paper. I should be in and out in a couple of minutes!"

"Ah, good. ...Hmm?" Divina caught a glance of someone in the shop. Someone having just bought something, based on the looks of it. "...But I wonder about that."

"Why is that?" The priestess opened the door, and instantly saw what her Navi/deity of choice was talking about. "Oh! Hideyoshi! I see the goddess has seen fit for us to bump into each other once more!"

"I did nothing of the sort. I suppose this place is simply a popular destination for those that have just acquired money."

"So it would seem...well, I should go ahead and buy my things. Excuse me for a moment..." She walked up to Suitachi, and handed him the scrap of paper. "I wish to purchase these items. It'll be faster to just hand you this than to read it off...and you needn't worry about the price information, I simply did that to double-check my math. When you're ready to accept payment, I'll ready the money transfer. Thank you in advance!"

As for the contents of the paper? It was written as such, in eye pleasing yet easy to read penmanship:

-----------

Speed Upgrade (1 of 3) - 5000z
NaviCust Expansions (1, 2, 3) - 1000z + 1250z + 1500z = 3750z
Process Upgrades (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) - 100z + 200z + 300z + 400z + 500z = 1500z

Total of Purchase = 10250z

Money on Hand = 11000z
Money Left After Purchase = 750z

-----------

One had to wonder what she'd think if she knew Yoshitsune had made a nearly identical purchase.
Suitachi smiled as he took the paper... then turned it upside down on the desk in front of him. Without reading it, he ducked below the counter and returned with the exact order, all together in a neat stack.

Smirking, the store owner flipped over the contents of the message and read it. "Ha! Too easy. When am I going to get a real challenge?!"

Suitachi indulged himself in a long, triumphant laugh before suddenly coughing into his fist. "Ahem. Enjoy your upgrades."

Hikari GET: Speed upgrade 1; Hp Memory 1,2,3; Process upgrade 1,2,3,4,5.
Hikari LOSE: 10250z
"Thank you very much!" Hikari smiled as she received the order, but perhaps curiously to the shop owner, it faded as she checked them. "Um...excuse me...Suitachi, is it? I believe you've made a small error..." She took a quick look at her paper, to ensure she wasn't recalling wrong. And she wasn't. "I asked for NaviCust Expansions, not HPMemories. I'm sorry, but can you switch them out? If my understanding of your pricing is correct, the two should cost the same, so...well, I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

She didn't say anything, but Divina was a bit amused by her high priestess's request. How many people besides Hikari would apologize about troubling someone over their genuine slip up?
Suitachi had pretty obviously been standing there, smirking to himself and preparing another bundle under the counter, when Hikari addressed him. "Wha... an error?" The man took the paper back frantically, his eyes scanning the words before widening in horror. "This... this can't be! You must have cheated!! I- I...!!"

The shopkeeper took a deep breath and regained his composure. "Of course. My mistake. It's perfectly normal for a new operator just starting out to ask for... NaviCust Expansions..."

Suitachi performed the swap quickly enough, but his face looked deflated and withdrawn. "Thanks for your purchase, enjoy your upgrades..."

Hikari GET: NaviCust Expansion 1,2,3
Hikari LOSE: HP Memory 1,2,3
((From -> Mikhail's Room))

When Mikhail arrived, he didn't go right to the counter; there were other customers there already, and he new it would easier to get his part replaced if he could just present it. Instead, he took a seat at one of the small tables and pulled a miniature multi-tool from his coat pocket. It only took him a few moments to open up his PET and extract the amplifier component that had broken down; the custom system was, despite its capabilities, fairly simple, and once he had the device opened up, it was easy to see which part had burned itself out - it was the only one whose circuit light wasn't lit up.

Beside him on the desk, Pirouette had slipped out in her miniature hologram, and was looking through one of the information sheets on the table, for navi upgrades. He glanced up at the wistful look in her gaze, and chuckled softly.

"What is on your mind, Pirouette?" The part came out with a click and Mikhail stood up, heading to the counter while Pirouette disappeared briefly. She slipped out of the device again once he approached the counter, was occupied looking towards what she could see of the various products that made up Suitachi's more regular sale fare.

"There are so many things! We never have upgraded any of my systems, Mikhail, but I do so wonder what it would be like..." She turned back to him, spinning on one toe. "I know we don't need them at all, but I..." Mikhail grinned while he waited for Suitachi to be free.

"Now now, little lebedёnok... do not get excited. You know we haven't the money to spare for such things, when they are not necessary for you." He shook his head, turning his eyes back to the store clerk while her little hologram sighed and nodded, folding her arms and wandering across the front of the counter while he arranged for purchase of the replacement amplifier.

Pirouette continued to look at navi upgrades while Mikhail paid for his replacement part with his card. She glanced up at him again as he completed the transaction.

"I do wish we had more spare, you know. Looking about here... it's like being in a sweet shop!"
"But you do not like fighting anyway, Pirouette. It is... It is like asking for licorice, because it is there and others have some... and forgetting that you hate licorice to begin with, no?" He had stepped away from the counter enough to quickly begin replacing the new part, while the little ballerina shuffled a foot with her head down.

"I know, I know..." She glanced about, her eyes falling on the other two who were still in the store, both of whom had just bought a number of upgrades for their own navis, then sighed softly.
"Thank you, Store Clerk. You can count on my patronage again in the future, when Kabuki has increased her netbattling fund," Yoshitsune announced proudly, as though he were doing Suitachi a favor. "It must be nice to have such an easy job! My life awards me no such favors. It takes a certain degree of insight and rigorous study just to cultivate a scholarly appreciation for kabuki theater; imagine the sort of discipline that it takes to act in it! Luckily, I'm leaving behind that life to pursue my own freedom. I have yet to decide what new career I should adopt, but-"

Thankfully, Suitachi was spared a lifetime of exposition by Hikari's arrival, as the actor's attention was fully diverted. "Priestess! I believe you are correct: only a benevolent goddess would carry you back into the enlightened company of myself and my sister so quickly," he chuckled, annoying both in his braggadocious behavior and the fact that he didn't seem to truly believe what he was saying about a benevolent goddess either, treating it more as a situationally appropriate joke. "You will be happy to know that Kabuki is stronger than ever before-"

"Not exactly... I'm only just starting to recover the abilities I had with my previous owners," Kabuki added, for the sake of accuracy.

Yoshitsune hissed her a "shhhh," indicating that she shouldn't talk about his past life, which was not nearly so dramatic or worthy of keeping secret as he was making it out to be. "You'll be quite impressed, if the opportunity strikes for us to display them. Yea, the tools of kabuki theater are just as powerful in battle as you might imagine from the genre's effectiveness as an art medium! Are you in the market for another mission, perhaps? It could be an excellent opportunity for you to learn more!" he offered, crossing his arms with a sly smile, again, the kind that said he was doing someone else a great courtesy.

Being a big fan of Yoshitsune as more than just a proclaimed sister, Kabuki found herself becoming gradually suspicious of the affection he appeared to be showing Hikari. Thankfully, a surprising opportunity to drive a wedge between them while not derailing her own quest to get her strength back had just appeared in the shop. "Brother, how about the nice GENT~EL~MAN who just entered the shop? He sounds like he's DES~PER~ATE for work as well! We could be his COM~PAN~IONS in gainful employment!" Kabuki added, knowing that nothing would turn off Yoshitsune's buzz quite like adding an adult male to the mix.

"... Ahem. I don't really think-" Yoshitsune murmured, ready to dismiss that idea out of hand. While Kabuki wasn't exactly big on buff, hairy guys herself, Yoshitsune was less so, having been around them all his life in the sweaty, male-dominated Blood Red Hanamichi.

"He also looks like he'd be interested in CUL~TURE, don't you think? Listen to those unique words he's saying! Don't you think he probably wants to learn all about KA~BU~KI theater?!" she begged enthusiastically, striking a debonair pose as she did.

"You are right! And I owe him that privilege," Yoshitsune agreed; it was, after all, his responsibility to be not just self-sufficient, but also, magnanimous. Way more than his father ever had been. "Sir! You there! The priestess of Divina over there and myself were just about to take on some officially-sanctioned GNA work, with the purpose of bolstering our funds and empowering our navis. You seem to share just such an interest! This seems like a golden opportunity for you to join the two of us, does it not? Why, with my recent experience, I shall make an excellent tutor," he smirked, lauding his magnificent track record of one successful mission.